Here's another feature to put in the category of cool stuff Ford offers that won't sell cars– alongside movable pedals, SYNC and a Tron-inspired keyless entry system. The Blue Oval Boyz are now offering subscription-free 911 service. If the SYNC system detects a crash, airbag deployment, emergency fuel cut off and so on, its automatically calls 911. Ford has contracted with the "National Emergency Number Association" to deal with the details. Although the system's unlikely to get anyone to darken the dealership door, props. The biggest bonus to this kind of service: the resell to existing owners. As any salesman will tell you, once someone survives totaling their newish car, they frequently go straight out and buy another one of the same. This is nice 'n all. But what we all want really is the EcoBoost twin turbo engine.
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Don’t underestimate how much people will value the “insurance aspect” of this product. Don’t you think that people keep paying OnStar for the “safe and sound” plan? I like that this function is not being held hostage for $19 a month anymore.
I really wonder if Sync designers expect that the phone will be intact enough to dial after a horrible -enough crash to trigger a call. For example, I witnessed the physical aftermath of a bad crash that threw the phone out of the driver’s hand, over 50 feet of pavement and smashed it into three pieces. Sync would have lost the bluetooth connection needed for the call (obviously).
Thats the one downfall of this system – it requires a Sync’d, intact cellphone to work. I can imagine lawsuits by misinformed victims….
Here’s another feature to put in the category of cool stuff Ford offers that won’t sell cars–
Best line ever. Seems like Ford is big on the gimmicks these days…
I wonder. It does have some word of mouth potential. People who are in the whole car as appliance mindset may well be swayed. Unique features, obvious benefits that differentiate them from Toyota-Honda-Nissan.
Given the strong negative feelings associated with Ford in some quarters, they must not only offer parity in quality with the Japanese, but also compelling product ideas in order to be considered.
Ford is actually doing a semi-compelling job for a company being ferociously mauled in the marketplace.
Dwford beat me to it, but you have to read the fine print to see that there is no cellular module built into SYNC. SYNC merely used Bluetooth to place a call on YOUR cell phone. This system depends entirely on the driver having a cell phone that is
– turned on
– Bluetooth-equipped
– Bluetooth-paired up with SYNC
– Not broken in the mishap
– Not flung out the window and hurled 100 yards away from the car during a crash.
Not exactly OnStar, but aside from that this is a great idea!
Better idea!
Offer a cellphone that, when it determines that IT’S been in a wreck, the phone initiates the call!
Not only will the phone help with vehicular wrecks, it will instantly call the cops during a domestic dispute!
neilberg:
For example, I witnessed the physical aftermath of a bad crash that threw the phone out of the driver’s hand, over 50 feet of pavement and smashed it into three pieces. Sync would have lost the bluetooth connection needed for the call (obviously).
How about Ford tries to take the cellphone out of the driver’s hands so that the crash wouldn’t have happened in the first place?
Great idea though….assuming the cellphone won’t be damaged.
Onstar is a better deal IMHO.
Much better idea than Ford’s first attempt, back in the 70’s, which involved using smoke signals to alert watchful emergency responders. It turned out Pintos would reliably ignite only when struck in the rear.
“another feature to put in the category of cool stuff Ford offers that won’t sell cars– alongside movable pedals, SYNC”
You don’t think SYNC is helping to make the Focus the small care with the highest growth rate in sales? Yeah, it must be the front fender vents.
@MattVA:
I think SYNC helps with Focus sales a bit. But what’s really moving that car is the 35 MPG rating and $1500 in rebates.
The problem with Sync is soon everyone will have it, erasing Ford’s advantage. If they developed it themselves it would have helped more.